Informative event for Collyer’s pupils

Last month, Collyer’s students enjoyed a hectic, but informative trip to the University of Surrey in Guildford to attend the UCAS Convention Fair, in preparation for making their applications to university later this year.

The convention was a great opportunity for students to explore a variety of post-18 options in one setting.

Ian McAlister, who runs the Progression Directorate at Collyer’s was thrilled: “It was great to see such enthusiastic participation from our students. They had planned the day well and collected the information they needed by questioning the university representatives in depth.”

The college took seven coaches and over 350 students to the event, which offered a series of interesting and informative seminars about university applications and the chance to visit over 150 stands featuring representatives from the majority of higher education institutions in the UK.

Ian McAlister said: “Approximately 75% of our second year students will continue on to Higher or Further education, so making informed and personal decisions is an incredibly important part of their time at Collyer’s. We are hosting our very own Higher Education Evenings on the 29th and 30th of April and I’m confident that many students will come along and think about aiming higher!”

The key aim of the convention was to give students a chance to get some ‘face time’ with admissions staff and subject specialists to find out what life’s like on and off campus, and discover what else is on offer when exams are done and dusted - volunteer work, gap year adventures, and the big wide world of work.

Collyer’s Vice Principal, Steve Nicholls said: “This event is just one of many that the students will have over the next few months, to help them make the right decision for their futures. I am hugely encouraged by their positive reaction and active participation in the event.”

Ian McAlister added: “In addition to the convention, this year students have welcomed second year medical student and ex Collyer, Jamie Tye to put medicine applicants through their interview paces and taken part in employability skills workshops and other events in conjunction with ‘My Kinda Crowd’, The National Careers Service, ‘Not Going to Uni’ and The National Apprenticeship Service. Next Tuesday 24th March we are hosting a “Not Going to Uni’ evening for Collyer’s students and parents, featuring presentations from a host of speakers covering a multitude of career paths. It really is a busy and exciting time at Collyer’s!”